Making do with what you have builds character

Wednesday

Jan 9, 2013 at 10:06 AM

When I think back to the days I was a pre-teen and a teenager, I often wonder how I ever made it to enjoy the life I live today.

Irene MichelColumnist

When I think back to the days I was a pre-teen and a teenager, I often wonder how I ever made it to enjoy the life I live today.Back then, we used to sleep three or four to a bed. Now each child must have his or her own bed; sometimes their own room. We didn’t even dream of having our own bed, much less our own room. Even when our own children were growing up they had to share beds. Our largest bedroom had two double beds and a baby bed in it. Then when our eldest son returned from serving in the U.S. Air Force, we added a room to be sure that there would be enough space for him. He, also, had to share a room with one of his brothers. Our only daughter, lucky girl, had her own room.Getting them to school was really a trip. Try sending seven kids to six different schools and you’ll know why I said a prayer that none of them would miss the bus that day. By this time the older children had either gone off to college or into the service of our country. We had also taken in another child to raise, and I think we had two children in the same grade.We felt terrible when we realized we would not be able to help our children with their tuition or books. They went through college by winning scholarships and taking out loans. Our daughter followed in her mother’s footsteps. She went straight to work after her high school graduation.I don’t remember exactly when I went to work for the first time. I know that at 12 I was ironing seersucker pants for the man of the house. It was people like this who made me into the person I am today. The lady of the house taught me how to do so many things. You may wonder why Mama didn’t teach me these things. She didn’t because we didn’t have much. I don’t think Papa ever owned a pair of seersucker pants in his entire life. I know he never owned a car. We seldom went out anywhere, and if we did, we either walked or rode in a wagon hitched to a couple of mules — Cora and Carry, if I remember correctly.Mama taught us a lot. She taught her children to be honest, clean of body and soul, and when we did something to do our very best. It was because of her and Papa’s outlook on life during those skimpy days that I was able to get that first job. At least one of my sisters had worked for that lady before I worked there. A few years ago we went to see this lady’s son. I asked him why his mom would hire us because I didn’t think I was such a big help at that age. He said his mother loved us and wanted to help us. So, you see, Mama’s teaching was very important back then. Our parents also valued education and passed that on to their children.I guess they realized the importance of education because Mama had no schooling at all and Papa only went to the fourth grade.Papa could sign his name. I was good at forgery. Many times when Papa was not available to sign my report card, or was just too tired after a day’s work, I would sign his name using the fancy C he used when he wrote his first and last names: Clovis Crochet. I still don’t apologize for my forgery because I knew I was helping Papa. Most of the time I could have bragged about my grades, except for that year in fourth grade when I was not promoted to fifth grade. But, even so, my teacher didn’t question the signature.Today, life is much different than it was back then. We don’t always appreciate all the things we have. Most of us started our marriage in rental apartments. If we were lucky enough to buy a house, it was usually a small house that someone had to give up because of a growing family. Today, young, married couples want a big house, new furniture and the latest in technological equipment. We had to be satisfied with the basics.But look at the good side. My first child’s birth cost us a hefty $96, including the doctor’s fee, the hospital charge and the nursery charge. I’m told it’s many times that much today.

Irene C. Michel, a native of Terrebonne Parish, is a columnist for The Courier and Daily Comet. She can be reached at 876-3252 or ICMwriter84@gmail.com.

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